A POET'S WISH

A poet's wish is not to be thought right,
nor is it to condemn or prove a wrong,
but to provide a constant, burning light.

When millions starve to death without a fight
while governments grow fatter, waxing strong.
A poet's wish to not to be thought right,

and coming to the aid of wisdom's sight,
his end is not to write iambic song,
but to provide a constant, haunting light.

When misery, a homeless child's birthright,
makes days seem endless and nights overlong,
a poet's wish is not to be thought right

nor is his wish to overcome by might
or to incite the teaming, homeless throng,
but to provide a constant, haunting light.

When children wander streets alone at night
in desperation, begging to belong,
a poet's wish is not to be thought right,
but to provide a constant, burning light.

---Harvey E. Stanbrough, Pittsboro, IN